A 16-year-old snowboarder has died on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver after falling and hitting a tree on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013.
Image Credit: Tourism BC
November 30, 2013 - 12:56 PM
VANCOUVER - A 16-year-old snowboarder has died on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver after falling and hitting a tree.
The Brazilian exchange student was boarding with friends Friday evening when he ventured off the main trail and fell about nine metres, said RCMP Cpl. Richard De Jong.
He said the boy was with a teen from the family he was living with and about three others when he became separated from the group.
Staff at the mountain tried to find him but heavy fog and sleet prevented them from doing a thorough search, De Jong said.
A North Shore Search and Rescue team was immediately contacted and located the snowboarder just after midnight.
The teen was in cardiac arrest but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, De Jong said.
“It’s very devastating,” he said, adding the boy’s family has been contacted in Brazil and will arrive in Canada to identify his body and transport it home.
The inexperienced boarder was not wearing a helmet, and that may have been a contributing factor in his death, De Jong said.
“It’s a very strong reminder for all of us to wear a helmet.”
RCMP and the coroners service are continuing to investigate the death.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013